Actuator for gun firing mechanisms



Dec. 4, 1951 v, LUCHT 2,576,953

ACTUATOR FOR GUN FIRING MECHANISMS Filed July 14, 1945 M Fig.1

gyxwwmmw Patented Dec. 4, 1951 UETED ST (Granted under the act of March3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) 12 Claims.

'factured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes,without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to an actuator for the firing mechanism of a gun.More particularly the invention relates to an actuator for the purposeof applying a force to the firing mechanism necessary to fire a gun ofrelatively high caliber.

The invention finds its greatest usefulness in conjunction with firingmechanisms of the continuous-pull self-cocking type. A firing mechanismof this type is characterized by means for loading or compressing aspring and for simultaneously releasing the sear so that the firing pinmay be propelled by reaction of the loaded spring. There are severalinstances in which a firing mechanism of this type is more desirablethan a firing mechanism of the so-called sear type in which the firingpin is normally under spring pressure for release from the sear uponactuation of trigger mechanism. One such instance occurs in the use of agun wherein it is desired to fire the gun by remote control. Anothersuch instance is that in which the gun may be subjected to incidentalshocks that might result in accidental firing were it equipped with afiringmechanism of the sear type. An example combining both instancesoccurs in the use of the gun in aircraft wherein remote control firingis a practical necessity and where the aircraft is subject to movement,such as landing or take-off, that might ordinarily up set a firingmechanism of the sear type. In any of the aforesaid or similar instancesthe prime consideration is the obtaining of sufiicient force to maintaina continuous pull on the firing mechanism to compress the firing springand subsequently release the sealfor release of the firing pin. Anotherproblem encountered in the design and use of power-controlled artilleryguns, particularly when the power source is electrical energy, is thatthere is often insufficient potential available to actuate the firingmechanism. This situation is especially true in cases in which thefiring mechanism is of the continuous-pull self-cocking type. For examle, it often occurs that electrical potential available is notsufficiently powerful to efiect actuation of the aforesaid type offiring mechanism by direct connection to a solenoid or the like.

It is a principal ob ect of the present invention to provide an actuatorfor' gun firing mechan'ismv in which a comparatively small force is 2multiplied to the extent necessary to actuate the firing mechanism andparticularly to actuate a firing mechanism of the continuous pullselfcoc'ki'n'g type.

It is also a principal obict of the invention to provide'an actuatorhaving a member preferably power operated and connected to the firingmechanism so that the inherent inertia in the member may be utilized aspart of the force available to actuate the firing mechanism.

An important object of the invention is. to provide the actuator with aconstant-speed inertia member that may be selectively con nected' to thefiring mechanism for actuation of the latter.

Another important 'obect' of the invention is tdprovide an actuatorhaving a constantly rotating part, an intermittently rotatable part andmeans for selectively connecting the parts for rotation together and fortranslating the rotational movement to the firing mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide control means for theactuator constructed and arranged to provide for intermittent and notcontinuous actuation of the firing mechanism.

The invention has for another object the provision of control means thatmay be suitably adapted to combination in an electrical firing circuit,said means being so arranged as to prevent undesirable continuousactuation of the firing mechanism even though the firing circuitaccidentally remains closed.

Still another'object of the invention is to provide control means havinga resiliently collapsible connection adapted to connect the actuator tothe firing mechanism, said connection per mitting release of theactuator from the firing mechanism even though such release is resistedby action on the part of the operator of the gun.

The invention has for still another object the provision of connectingmeans between the actuator. and firing mechanism providing forseparation of the firing mechanism from the actua tor upon recoil of thegun and for restoration of operative association between said parts asthe gun returns to battery.

The foregoing and other objects and desirable features of the inventionwill be more; readily understood as the disclosure is more fullyamplified in the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment of the invention as shown in the accompanying sheets ofdrawings in which: a

Fig. 1 is an enlarged, longitudinal sectional view through the actuatorand the control theref'o'r:

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view through the drivingportion of the actuator;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the driving mechanism ofthe actuator as viewed along the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the actuator unit; and

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the means for connecting the constantlyrotating part and the intermittently rotatable part.

It has been previously stated that the invention is particularly adaptedfor use with guns of relatively large caliber and with firing mechanismsof a particular type. It will be understood of course that the foregoingreference has been and it is not intended thereby to limit theapplication and adaptability of the invention to other guns, otherfiring mechanisms, or other instances.

The actuator generally identified by the numeral l6, includes a base I!on which is mounted a housing I 8 containing the actuator mechanism. Abearing l9 outside the housing l8 serves to pivot one end of a swin inarm which has its other end 'pivotallv connected to an actuating rod 2!.In the application of my invention to a gun of the tvpe previouslymentioned. the rod 2! extends rearwardly for guided axial translationwhereby its rear end is adapted to enga e or abut the u per end of a triger arm to fire the gun in response to re rward translation of therodand resulting pivotal operation of the tri er arm.

In an instal ation of t e t pe .iust described the actuator rod. 2i ismounted on the sup ort or cradle of the un. whi e t e tri er arm andfiring m c anism are contained in t e breech assembly. Hence. the latterparts will move a ay from the end. of the rod 2! as t e gun recoils,and, conversel ill return as t e gun returns to batter T e abuttinrelation bet een the u per end of the ri er ar and the rear end of theactuator rod. 2| ade uatelv accom odates t is se aration of p rts unonrecoil and provides for restoration of t e operativ association betweensaid parts when t e un re urns to battery.

The housing l8 inc udes a radial wall portion 4| in hic is sup rted adrivin sh ft 42 carrvin f r rot tion t re ith a drivin pinion 43. Aconstantlv rotating member, indicated generally b t e nu eral 44, ispreferably formed as a drum 45 ha ing one end thereof open andassociated with. the radial wall 4| of the housing I8 in a manner toform an enc sure therewith. The other side. of the drum 45 is preferablyformed with an inte ral. axially extending sleeve 46 iournaled onsuitable anti-friction bearings 45a in a supporting brac et 4'! securedto the base plate ll. The drum 45 is provided with an internal ring gear48 meshing with the pinion 43. In the present instance the pinion 43 isillustrated as being driven by an electric motor 49. One general plan ofthe use of the gun on which the actuator and firing mechanism areinstalled includes provision for operating the motor 49 during periodswhen it is expected that made by way of illustration only the gun willbe fired. Throughout a prolonged combat period, the motor will becontinuously in operation and therefore the drum 45 will be constantlyrotating.

The sleeve 45 of the constantly rotating part 44 has journaled thereinon suitable antifriction bearin s 45b an intermittently rotatable partor shaft 59. The end of the shaft 5!! that extends outside the sleeve 45is provided with an eccentric 4 or crank portion 5i operable in alongitudinal slot 52 in the actuator arm 20. It will be seen thatrotation of the shaft 50 causes oscillation of the actuator arm 25 andconsequently reciprocation of the actuating rod 2i to actuate thetrigger arm, not shown. The bearings 55a. are spaced axially by a sleeve46c and the bearings 4812 are spaced axially by a sleeve 45d. The sleeve45 of the drum 45, and the two spacer sleeves 45b and 46d are suitablyapertured to provide for circulation of lubricant between the bearings46a and 461) within the housing formed by the support 47. This supportis closed at its opposite ends by lubricant-tight closure members Ma.

The inner end of the shaft 50 is also provided with an eccentric orcrank portion 53 having a threaded extension 54 thereon. See Figure 5.The eccentric carries means for selectively connecting theintermittently rotatable shaft 55 to the constantly rotating part 44. Inthe present instance this means takes the form of a clutch arm 55 boredto form a bearing fitting the eccentric 55 and including driving lugs 55engaging complementary driving lugs 5'? on the crank portion 53. The arm55 extends radially from the shaft 50 toward the inner periphery of thedrum 45 and carries at its outer end means such as a clutch shoe 5B forengaging an inner peripheral clutch track 59 formed in the drum 45.Spring means 55 operates between the arm 55 and the shoe 58 to maintainthe shoe in engageable position with respect to the clutch track 55.Because of the eccentricity oi the mounting of the clutch arm 55 withrespect to the shaft 50, the normal tendency of the arm 55 is to movethe clutch shoe 58 into engagement with the clutch track 59 in the drum45.

As stated above it is an important object of the present invention toprovide control means for selectively effecting engagement between theconstantly rotating part 44 and the intermittently rotatable part orshaft 58. The inner radial face of the supporting wall 4: of the housing18 includes an inwardly directed supporting portion 6| having a pair ofcars 52 (only one or" which is shown) between which is pivoted a latchmember 53 (Fig. 2). This latch is normally positioned to have a portionthereof arranged in the path of circular movement of the clutch arm 55.Stated otherwise, the latch member 53 normally forms an obstruction inthe path of movement of the clutch arm 55; thus the latch member servesto maintain the clutch shoe 53 out of driven engagement with the clutchtrack 55 of the drum 45. The supporting wall 4| of the housing I8carries outside thereof power-operated control means preferably in theform of a solenoid 64. The solenoid has a two-part plunger 55 thatextends through an opening in the wall 4! into position to engage thelatch member 63. Actuation of the solenoid 54 will move the plunger 65inwardly of the drum 45 to pivot the latch member 53 out of the path ofthe arm 55, thus freeing the arm for movement so that the clutch shoe 58engages the clutch. track 59 of the drum 45. A spring-pressed detent 56cooperates with the latch member 53 to provide an over-center lockoperative to main tain the latch member 63 against accidental. return toclutch-engaging position.

The design of the actuator and its function in actuating the firingmechanism is such that thegun can be fired upon a single revolution ofthe intermittently rotatable shaft.

According to the present invention, means are shaft 50..

with anarcuate camportion bio which-extends provided. for the purpose ofdisengaging,- the clutch arm 55 and. shoe 58 from the drum so after eachrevolution thereof. In the. present instance, this means. takes theform-oi a cam 61; formed at the. outer end of a radial-1y extend- .ingmember having its inner end carried, on the eccentric-53 of the shaft55. As best'shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the inner :face'of the cam member 81has a, pair of lugs '68 cooperable with complementary lugs 65 on theeccentric 53. for securing the parts for joint. rotation. A nut '55 isthreaded on the threaded extension 55 of the, eccentric 53 andsecuresthe member 5:? and the arm 55. to the The outer end of, the cam 5is formed The foregoing construction assumes that the --circuit, to thesolenoid 64 will have been released so that the plunger 65 willhave beenrestored to initiating position. In other words, if the solenoid 64 werereplaced by other suitable poweroperated means or by appropriate manualmeans it would be necessary to a successful return of the latch membert3 to its original position that thesolenoid plunger '55 or itsequivalent would be relieved of its initiating force so that it couldreturn to its original position.

According tothe present invention, provision has been made forsuccessful operation of the actuating means even though return of theplunger 65 may be resisted, whether this resistance occurs as a resultof continuous energizing of the solenoid B4 or by other means tending toprecludereturn movement of the plunger 65.

As previously stated the plunger 55 is of twopart construction andpreferably includes a main member 10 and a secondary member H inter- Jconnected by a resiliently collapsible connection. As best shown in Fig.1 the member 75- is provided with an internal bore into which the memberH fits. The latter member is formed with a transverse bore carrying apair of radially outwardl-y spring-pressed detent members, such as balls72, engageable with recesses in the interior surface of the bore in themember 75. The members 'H) and H are normally connected by the detentmeans I2 and occupy the positions shown in. Fig. 1. In. the event thatthe solenoid 6d remains energized after the latch 63 is moved out of thepath. of the clutch arm 55, the detent means permits telescopiccontraction between the members as the cam edge 67b forces the latchmember 63 against the head of the plunger member 1|. When the circuit tothe solenoid 66 is broken the plunger part H! is withdrawn into thesolenoid and, because of the engagement between the enlarged head at theend of theplunger member 1| and the supporting portion 6|, the member His held against movement and the detent means 12 are restored toposition to connect the parts again for movement together.

In the operation of the actuator and firing mechanism in accordance withthe preferred form of the invention herein illustrated and described thegun is loaded in any suitable manner and, with the motor 49 running, thesolenoid 64 is actuated. As previously stated the. solenoid.

shoe 58 and track 59,.

may be. replaced byany other suitable mochanism. and the principle of,operati'on'remains the same. In the present instance it will be assumedthat the solenoid is appropriately arranged in an electrical circuitconnected to operate the actuator and other instrumentalities necessaryto the operation of. the weapon. When the solenoid is energized theplunger members 10 and H move as a unit into engagement with the latchmember 63 and move the latter out of engagement with the clutch arm 55so that driving engagement is established between the constantlyrotating part-4 5 and the intermittentlyrotatable shaft 55. Driving of.the arm 55 by the drum is effected, by means of the engagement betweenthe The shoe 58 tends, because of the. eccentric mounting of the innerend of the arm on the shaft portion 53, to frictional engagement with;the track 59. However, the temporary obstruction effected by the latchmember 63 prevents such engagement. On, the other hand, when the latch63' is withdrawn from the. path of the arm'55, the slight frictionaldrag of the track 59 on the shoe 58 increases, until a positivedrivingconnection is effected. GEM-sprotary movement is. translatedthrough the eccentric 5t, actuator arm 25,. and actuator rod 2| to thetrigger arm- (not shown) and the firing mechanism is actuated in themanner previously described. When the firing cycle is completed the cam6 operates to move the latch as into position to reengage the clutcharm- 55 andati the same time to move the :plunger- 65 back into. thesolenoid. Asset forthabove, the detent means 12 provides for contractionor relative movement between the plunger parts Hi and ll in the eventthat return movement of the plunger 65 is many manner resisted.

It willbeseen from the foregoing description that a desirable form ofactuator has been provided for the actuation of the firing mechanism ofa gun and particularly for the actuation of a firing mechanism. ofthecontinuous-pull self- "cocking type. The; actuator consists ofrelatively few parts and is simple and efil'cient in construction andoperation. Adequate provision has been made for elimination of theseveral difficulties that were heretofore encountered in the operationof the gun. in circumstances of the type referred to. It will be:understoodof course that the foregoing description pertains to only apreferred embodiment ofthe invention and that. the constructionset forth"may be altered or modified or applied to other instances Withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the inven-- tion as defined inthe. appended claims.

1.. An actuator for the firingmcchanism of a gun, comprising a supporthaving a wall portion, a drum having an open side positioned adjacentsaid: support wall to form arr-en ure therewith and having an opposite,closed side provided with axial sleeve, means between said support andsleeve for iournaling said. drum on said support, means on the innerperiphery of said drum forming an inner annular clutch track, meansforming an internal gear in said drum paralleling said clutch track,means for rotating said drum inclwding a pinion within said drum andmeshing with. said internal gear, a main shaftjournaled in said sic-evevand having its inner end positioned within said drum and having itsouter end crotending outside said sleeve, means on the inner end. ofsaid main shaft providing. a stub shaft eccentric to said main shaft, aclutch arm pivoted 'on said stub shaft and including a clutch shoeengageable with said clutch track, a latch member pivoted on said wallof said support within said drum and having a portion thereof normallyengageable with said clutch arm to maintain said clutch shoe out ofdriving engagement with said clutch track, means movable through saidwall of said support for pivoting said latch member to cause swinging ofsaid clutch arm on said stub shaft for engagement of said clutch shoewith said clutch track, cam means on said arm engageable with said latchmember in response to predetermined rotation of said clutch arm withsaid drum to pivot said latch member for restoring the latter to itsinitial position so that said. clutch arm is pivoted on its stub shaftand said clutch shoe is disengaged from said clutch track, and means atthe outer end of said main shaft for connection to the firing mechanismof a gun and operative upon rotation of said main shaft to actuate saidmechanism.

2. An actuator for the firing mechanism of a gun, comprising a support,a rotatable drum journaled on said support, means on the inner peripheryof said drum forming an inner annular clutch track, means forming aninternal gear in said drum paralleling said clutch track, means forrotating said drum including a pinion within said drum and meshing withsaid internal gear, a main shaft journaled on said support and havingits inner end positioned within said drum and having its'outer endextending outside said drum, means on the inner end of said main shaftproviding a stub shaft eccentric to said main shaft, a clutch armpivoted on said stub shaft and including a clutch shoe engageable withsaid clutch track of said drum, a latch member pivoted on said supportwithin said drum and having a portion thereof normally engageable withsaid clutch arm to mainta n said clutch shoe out of driving engagementwith said clutch track, means for pivoting said latch member to causeswinging of said clutch arm on sa d stub shaft for engagement of saidclutch shoe. with said clutch track, cam means on said arm engageablewith said latch member in response to predetermined rotation of saidclutch arm with said drum to pivot said latch member for restoring thelatter to its initial position so that said clutch arm is pivoted on itsstub shaft and said clutch shoe is disengaged from said clutch track,and means at the outer end of said main shaft for connection to thefiring mechanism of a gun and operative upon rotation of said main shaftto actuate said mechanism.

3. An actuator for the firing mechanism of a gun, comprising a support,a rotatable drum journaled on said support, means on said drum forming aclutch track, means forming a gear on said drum, means for rotating saiddrum including a pinion meshing with said gear, a main shaft journaledon said support, means on one end of said main shaft providing a stubshaft eccentric to said main shaft, a clutch arm pivoted on said stubshaft and including a clutch shoe engageable with said clutch track, alatch member pivoted on said support and having a portion thereofnormally engageable with said clutch arm to maintain said clutch shoeout of driving engagement with said clutch track, means for pivotingsaid latch member to cause swinging of said clutch arm on said stubshaft for engagement of said clutch shoe with said clutch track, meanson said arm engageable with said latch member in response topredetermined rotation of said clutch arm with said drum to pivotsaidlatch member for restoring the latter to its initial position sothat sad clutch arm is pivoted on its stub shaft and said clutch shoe isdisengaged from said clutch track, and means on said main shaft forconnection to the firing-mechanism of a gun and operative upon rotationof said main shaft to actuate said mechanism.

4. An actuator for the firing mechanism of a gun, comprising a support,a rotatable drum journaled on said support, means for rotating saiddrum, a shaft journaled on said support, crank means on said shaft,driving means movably carried by said crank means and including a memberengageable with said drum, a release element movable on said support andhaving a portion thereof normally positioned to maintain saiddrum-engaging member out of engagement with said drum, means foractuating said release element to effect engagement of saiddrum-engaging member with said drum, means connected to saiddrum-engaging member and operable in response to predetermined rotationof said drumengaging member with said drum to actuate said releaseelement for restoring the latter to its initial position so that saiddrum-engaging member is disengaged from said drum, and means on saidshaft for connection to the firing mechanism of a gun and operative uponrotation of said shaft to actuate said mechanism.

5. An actuator for the firing mechanism of a gun, comprising a support,a rotatable driving drum journaled on said support and having aninternal gear and clutch track, means engaging said gear to drive saiddrum, a driven member journaled on said support coaxially with saiddrum, driving means carried by said driven member and including adriving portion movable into and out of driving engagement with saidclutch track, a release element movable on said support and having aportion thereof normally positioned to engage said driving portion tomaintain the same out of engagement with said clutch track, means formoving said release element to effect driving engagement of said drivingportion with said track, means movable with said driven member andoperable in response to predetermined rotation of said driving member toactuate said release element for restoring the latter to its initialposition so that said driving portion is disengaged from said track, andmeans on said driven member for connection to the firing mechanism of a.gun and operative upon rotation of said driven member to actuate saidmechanism.

6. In an actuator for a gun firing mechanism having a driving part and adriven part and means for connecting said parts for movement together,the combination of operating means movable between an initial positionand an operating position for effecting connection and disconnection ofsaid parts and including a pair of members arranged for relativecontraction and extension, yieldable means normally holding said membersagainst contraction, means for moving said members as a unit tooperating position to effect connection of said driving and drivenparts, and means operable in response to predetermined movement of saidparts together to return said operating means to initial position fordisconnecting said parts, said yieldable means providing for contractionof said members in the event return movement of one of said members isresisted.

7. In an actuator for a gun firing mechanism having a driving part and adriven part and means for connecting said parts for movement together,the combination of operating means movable between an initial positionand an operating position for effecting connection and disconnection ofsaid parts and including a pair of members arranged'for relativecontraction and extension, yieldable means normally holding said membersagainst contraction, force-applying means connected to one of saidmembers, means connecting the other of said members to one of saidparts, said force-applying means being operable to move said members asa unit to operating position to efiect connection of said driving anddriven parts, and means operable in response to predetermined movementof said parts together to return said operating means to initialposition for disconnecting said parts, said yieldable means providingfor contraction of said members in the event said force-applying meansresists return movement of said members together.

8. In an actuator for a gun firing mechanism having a driving part and adriven part and means for connecting said parts for movement together,the combination of power-operated means for efiecting engagement of saidparts for movement thereof together and including a reciprocableplunger, said plunger having a pair of relatively contractible membersand yieldable means normally maintaining said members againstcontraction, and means operable in response to predetermined movement ofsaid driving and driven parts for returning said plunger to efiectdisengagement of said parts, said yield able means providing forcontraction of said members in the event that said power-operated meansresists return movement thereof.

9. In an actuator for a gun firing mechanism having a constantly movablepart, an intermittently movable part and a normally motionless clutchelement arranged for release to establish coupling between said parts,the combination of latch means normally engaging said clutch element tohold said element motionless and movable to release said element toestablish driving coupling between said parts, a movable control member,a secondary member, yieldable means connecting said members normally formovement as a unit but providing for reverse movement of said secondarymember independently of said control member, said secondary member whenmoved in a forward direction engaging and moving said latch means torelease said clutch element, and means moving as a unit with saidintermittently movable part for positively moving said latch means to aposition in which it arrests said clutch element to thereby interruptdriving coupling between said parts, the aforesaid yieldable meansproviding for reverse movement of said secondary member by said latchmeans although movement may be resisted by said control member.

10. In an actuator for a gun firing mechanism, a constantly movabledriving part, an intermittently movable driven part, normally motionlessclutch means releasable to connect said parts in driving relation, a,control member movable in a forward or parts-coupling directionindependently of said intermittently movable part,

latch means normally engaging said clutch means to hold the same inrelease position, said latch means being operated by movement of saidcontrol member in said parts-connecting direction to release said clutchmeans to thereby couple said parts, cam means operable directly by andin response to predetermined movement of said driven part to actuatesaid latch means to a position to engage said clutch means and therebyto disconnect said parts, and means for precluding further actuation ofsaid latch means by said control member until said control member hasbeen first moved in a reverse direction.

11. In an actuator for a gun-firing mechanism, a constantly movablepower-driven part, an intermittently movable part normally motionlessclutch means releasable to couple said parts in driving relation, anelectrically-energizable control member, latch means operated inresponse to energization of said control member to release said clutchmeans and thereby couple said parts in driving relation, means operablein response to predetermined movement of said intermittently movablepart to operate said latch means to arrest said clutch means and therebydisconnect said parts, and means precluding actuation of said latchmeans by said control member until said control member has beende-energized.

12. In an actuator for a gun firing mechanism, a constantly movingpower-driven part, an intermittently movable part, clutch meansreleasable to couple said parts in driving relation, control means forsaid clutch means, comprising a manually-controlled power-operatedmember, rod means independent of said parts and operable by said memberto release said clutch means when power is applied to said member tothereby couple said parts, means operable in response to predeterminedmovement of said intermittently movable part to actuate said rod meansto arrest said clutch means and disconnect said parts, said rod meanscomprising relatively slidable parts for precluding release of saidclutch means by said member unless and until power has. beendisconnected from said member.

VICTOR F. LUCH'I'.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 522,509 Canet July 3, 1894766,221 Cooper Aug. 2, 1904 804,899 Tasker Nov. 21, 1905 987,514 VotschMar. 21, 1911 1,164,901 Zaleski Dec. 21, 1915 1,640,871 Ballard Aug. 30,1927 1,765,527 Gollnick et a1 June 24, 1930 1,795,568 McCann Mar. 10,1931 1,811,028 Ryan June 23, 1931 2,368,987 Henschker Feb. 6, 19452,383,088 Shaw Aug. 21, 1945 2,457,827 Love Jan. 4, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 130,349 Austria Nov. 10, 1932 304,076 Italy Dec. 26.1932

